Goosenecks

State Park

It’s not quite 1:30 when we arrive at the edge of solitude and beauty.

With our senior discount we pay $5 to stay overnight in a primitive campground with amazing views. We pull into a “deluxe site” complete with a table, fire pit, and garbage can.

We’re parked on the rim of an extraordinary canyon.

One thousand feet below is one of the most spectacular geological wonders.

The river we see below is the San Juan River originating in Colorado from the mountains with the same name. (plaque at State Park)

It loops about for 6 miles yet only advances 1.5 miles west on its journey to Lake Powell, 35 miles away.

The entrenched river meander below has a name that comes as no surprise. Geologists call it a gooseneck, hence the name for this State Park in the middle of nowhere. (stateparks.utah.gov and americansouthwest.net)

Several millions of years ago the San Juan River flowed through here on a flat plain, much like today’s Mississippi River. Slowly, the uplifting of the Colorado Plateau started entrenching the river downward as it cut through the rising canyons. (plaque at State Park)

These canyon walls are composed of shale and limestone over 300 million years old. (visitutah.com)

Notice the ant-sized vehicles in the enlarged image of the same picture below. Our RV is among them.

After we are situated, settled, and “scenic-viewed”, I capture the landscape of the park around us.

Home-made fire pits…

A zen-like stone labyrinth…

Other campers and rock formations in the distance…

And my favorite… I call this rock formation, “Oz”.

One last picture (or 2) of the sinuous river meandering right below us…

After sitting around a campfire outside of our RV, I snap a pic at sunset with “Oz” in the background (and “Rabbit Ears” to its right)… And I think to myself, what a wonderful world!